ZDG Construction Management

ZDG Construction Management helps deliver an eye-popping residential development in New York.

By Kat Zeman, Senior Editor at Knighthouse Publishing

A leading construction management firm specializing in large and complex projects in the New York metro area, ZDG Construction Management is helping to deliver another major development to Brooklyn.

ZDG Construction Management is supervising and coordinating the construction of Spitzer Enterprises' 420 Kent Avenue. The development consists of three multi-dimensional glass towers designed by the award-winning architect ODA New York.

Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s massive luxury apartment rental complex promises an unparalleled living experience directly on the East River in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

The three glass towers at 420 Kent Avenue will feature 857 residences, roughly 20,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space, more than 25,000 square feet of indoor amenities and more than 80,000 square feet of outdoor amenity space. That includes a 400-foot-long landscaped riverside esplanade located in the center of one of Brooklyn’s iconic neighborhoods – the South Williamsburg waterfront.

“We think it will be a magnificent landmark,” says Mera Faddoul, professional engineer and senior vice president at ZDG. “The location and design make it unique. The views are maximized. You can see the Brooklyn bridge, the Williamsburg bridge and midtown Manhattan.”

Skyline Views

The three glass towers have an eye-catching design that resembles Jenga blocks. The architect wanted the design to be a departure from classic commercial rectangular architectural forms present in many of today’s residential towers. The result produced three towers with sprawling skyline views.

“All the units have floor to ceiling windows,” Faddoul says. “They really wanted to maximize the views. That was a big thing.”

Many of the residences feature three-sided views and private outdoor terraces in the sky. The glistening skyline views sweep across from the Williamsburg Bridge, Midtown Manhattan and Long Island City to the north, across the East River to the Lower East Side of Downtown Manhattan, to the west and south through the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges to FiDi and the Downtown Brooklyn skyline.

“I think the size, the signature of the design and the location on the water makes it a little more unique than some of the other developments in the area,” Faddoul says.

The 30-month project broke ground in winter 2016 and is being completed in phases. The first phase, expected to open this fall, is the tower that stands on its own. Phase two will follow in spring next year with the opening of two interconnected towers.

The standalone tower features 252 apartments, while the interconnected towers have 605 rentals that will come in the form of studios apartments and one-bedrooms and two-bedroom units.

“The finishes of the apartments are high-end,” Faddoul says. “The interiors are very well designed and thoughtfully selected.”

The designers wanted clean modern lines and warm neutral colors to create a sophisticated and understated design palette for the interiors.

Even the lobbies are designed to impress. The 24-hour attended lobbies of 420 Kent Avenue were envisioned to welcome residents home with warm tones to calm the body, designer features to inspire the mind and create an inviting gateway to a residential riverfront escape. They feature coffee bars and a place for residents to exhibit their art.

In addition, each tower has a rooftop pool with a spectacular view. Each pool comes with up close views of the East River, the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges.

“It’s a luxury rental so it has the typical amenities such as a swimming pool, jacuzzi, reading room, lounges, underground parking and the ground floor is retail,” Faddoul says.

420 Kent Avenue offers multiple outdoor lounges which include seating and dining areas, an herb garden, expansive outdoor yoga and stretch area and plenty of open space. It also features a Waterfront Sunset Lounge & Gourmet Catering Kitchen, billiard and gaming room, piano room with private dining room, a resident’s library and state-of-the-art fitness center.

On The Waterfront

Location is another selling point for 420 Kent Avenue. Although they have a Brooklyn address, the towers offer fast and easy access to those commuting to Manhattan. The development is located near the South Williamsburg ferry landing and a subway that is one stop from Manhattan.

“The ferry takes you from Brooklyn to Manhattan in a few minutes, which is a nice feature for this location because typically you would take the subway,” Faddoul says.

In addition, the development will also include 80,000 square feet of publicly-accessible open space, including a new boardwalk along the East River.

“The plan is to connect this development’s park to other surrounding parks,” Faddoul says.

In the last 10 years, New York City has focused on building more parks on the water like its Riverside Park in Manhattan that consists of a narrow 4-mile strip of land between the Hudson River and Riverside Drive.

A Diverse Portfolio

Founded in 2008, ZDG understands the complexity of building in New York City. The company’s diverse portfolio includes state-of-the-art residential, commercial, mixed use and institutional projects.

Headquartered in New York City, ZDG is a privately held, full-service construction management group that enjoys tackling challenging projects.

“We’re very diversified,” Faddoul says. “However, we are known for complex, exciting and challenging projects in New York City.”

The company offers pre-construction, construction and post-construction services to the tristate region. It has corporate clients as well as private developers.

Its list of accomplished projects includes new residential construction, hospitality, mixed-use commercial/retail buildings, building space conversions, commercial interior fit-out work and institutional endeavors.

Today, ZDG is one of the most recognized construction management firms in New York City. It is focused on delivering new developments and renovation projects in the city’s five boroughs. Its core values and managing principals are guided by its extensive experience and long term client relationships.